Promoting academic and financial fitness in younger generations.

Learning

noun | learn·ing | \ˈlər-niŋ\

The act or process of acquiring knowledge or skill through experience, study or being taught.

From childhood to the teenage years, education and learning are central aspects of growth and development, whether formally through educational institutions and programs or more informally through family members and exposure to real-life experiences. From a school perspective in Canada, youth spend approximately 14 years progressing through elementary and high school — plus additional post-secondary time for many — and these formative years are so crucial in helping youth build a strong foundation of skills and knowledge needed to succeed in their future careers and other aspects of life. For many individuals, when thinking about these years for children, grandchildren or school-aged youth in general, the focus is often on providing the best tools, resources and outlets for learning. To help promote success, however, whether that’s in relation to broader academic performance or more specifically as applied to financial literacy and money smarts, it’s important to dig deeper and understand what drives the ability to learn. In examining the foundations of learning holistically, taking into account the impact of factors such as physical activity and nutrition, individuals can help children and youth put their best foot forward both in academic achievement and in building sound financial management and decision-making skills.

RBC Wealth Management (RBC WM) is committed to assisting in building financial literacy among the younger generations. “Introducing the RBC WM Financial Literacy Program,” a practical and comprehensive learning program available in 2018 for individuals 16 years of age and older.

The impact of physical activity on learning

When it comes to academic performance, a vast range of studies show a significant relationship between fitness and educational achievement and that physical activity positively affects cognitive skills, attitudes and academic behaviour.1 While the precise cause is still debated among researchers, being physically active is known to improve brain health in two key areas. First, it increases blood flow to the brain, which helps to keep brain cells functioning properly, and second, it stimulates the growth and maintenance of neural connections within the brain. And while the brain is capable of making new neural connections into adult life, childhood is a time when these neural connections and synapses form at a greater rate and when the brain’s main “circuitry” is formed. In fact, during the first decade of a child’s life, the brain forms trillions of connections and synapses and this is the foundation upon which the brain continues developing. However, if proper health is not maintained, these connections can be weakened or eliminated.2

When it comes to physical activity, the unfortunate reality is that the majority of school-aged children in Canada are not getting the recommended amount on a regular basis. In fact, of those aged five to 17, only 13 percent of boys and six percent of girls are meeting the national guidelines of at least 60 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity daily.3 Furthermore, children and youth within that age range are spending an average of 8.5 hours being sedentary each day, which is roughly two-thirds of their waking hours.4

These patterns of sedentary behaviour among the majority of children and youth put them at a disadvantage both in and out of the classroom. The end result, as research demonstrates, is greater numbers of school-aged youth who have weakened cognitive skills, who struggle with academic challenges, and who have increased aggression and poor academic behaviour and attitudes.5 Specifically in regards to developing money smarts and building sound financial management skills, these statistics apply in much the same way, as the brains of physically inactive youth are less primed for this type of learning. Further to the impact on academics and practical financial management skills, low levels of physical activity also put children at a greater risk of serious physical and emotional health issues, including high blood pressure, breathing problems, sleep apnea, low self-esteem, depression, and negative body image.6

Tips for promoting physical activity in the daily lives of children and youth

Act as role models and participate in physical activities with them. A family approach can be motivating and also helps form long-term patterns.

Depending on age and maturity level, encourage walking or biking to and from school, parks or friends’ houses, and assist in planning safe routes and secure travel practices.

Pinpoint what activities or sports your children are most interested in and pursue organized programs. This offers supplemental social benefits, which can also positively impact emotional well-being.

Limit screen time and set guidelines and boundaries for when children can watch television, play video games, or be online. Tips to assist in appropriate supervision are to have electronics and computers in a shared family space and to have a set time in the evening when children’s personal devices are stored in the parents’ bedroom for the night.

Research options for unstructured and structured activities within your community, such as bike paths, walking trails or community centre programs.

Did you know?

Children and youth aged five to 17 should have no more than two hours of recreational screen time per day (this includes via smartphones). Currently, only 24 percent of those in this age group meet these guidelines.7

Nutrition and the brain

As the body’s largest organ, the brain requires a steady amount of nutrients to function properly, and during an individual’s younger years, meeting nutritional recommendations is even more important to promote healthy brain development. Much like physical activity, there are also well-established links between proper nutrition and academic outcomes. More specifically, studies show that students who maintain a healthy diet have improved memory, problem-solving skills and creative abilities.9

According to Canadian studies, however, many children and youth are coming up well short of the nutritional recommendations. For example, 31.5 percent of children and youth are either overweight or obese, a percentage that’s nearly tripled over the last three decades.10 Of children aged four to eight, 70 percent do not get the recommended five servings of fruits and vegetables each day, but approximately 30 percent of all Canadian children eat French fries at least twice a week and consume one or more soft drinks each day. Canadian students are also highly influenced by food marketing and labelling, and are much more likely to make poor food choices if unhealthy options are available within or nearby to their school.11 Unfortunately, these growing patterns of unhealthy eating and nutritional deficiencies have been associated with poor school performance, and also put youth at greater risk for heart disease, high blood pressure, type-2 diabetes and high cholesterol.12

Getting enough Zzzs

Sleep also plays a crucial role in boosting and maintaining brain function, as well as the ability to focus and retain information. Children aged five to 13 should get nine to 11 hours of sleep per night, and those 14 to 17 years old should get eight to 10 hours, with consistent bedtimes and wake-up times. Unfortunately, many youth aren’t getting appropriate amounts, as research indicates 31 percent of school-aged kids in Canada are sleep deprived.8

Tips for improving eating habits among students

For parents and guardians, establishing good eating habits starts in the home, but given that the majority of children and teens spend a large proportion of their day at school, opportunities exist to build upon those eating habits developed at home and extend them into schools. The following are strategies to consider in both school and home environments.

Encourage children to participate in meal preparation at home with age-appropriate tasks, and involve them in packing healthy snacks and lunches to take to school.

Limit sugar-sweetened beverage consumption and establish rules at home for snacking. This can be easier to implement by having healthy food options available and eliminating “junk food” (or storing it in a place where it isn’t easily accessible so it can be saved as an infrequent treat).

Advocate for and support programs that bring healthy food to schools (e.g., Breakfast Club of Canada, Farm to Schools grant program from Farm to Cafeteria Canada).

Ensure children always start their day with a healthy breakfast, whether that’s at home or through a breakfast program at school. Research indicates participation in school breakfast programs improves academic performance, enhances cognitive function and reduces tardiness.14

Consider planting a fruit and vegetable garden at home, or encourage the establishment of a school- or community-based one in your area, as they offer the potential to contribute to nutritional education and a greater connection and appreciation for where food comes from and how it’s grown.

Financial stress and the family impact

According to a national survey by the Financial Planning Standards Council (FPSC), 42 percent of Canadians rank money as their greatest stress.15 From a family perspective, this type of stress is often far-reaching, with its negative effects impacting not only the emotional well-being of the individual, but also relationships with a spouse or partner, as well as children. And leading into the holidays, while the focus is often on the joys of the season and enjoying time with loved ones, it’s also a time of year when some individuals experience an increase in stresses around their finances.

Taking steps to reduce financial stress within the household can play a large role in fostering a more positive learning environment for building financial literacy skills among younger family members. Learning about financial topics often occurs outside of a structured school setting, and parents and guardians are often the root of this type of education for children and youth. If financial stress is taking a toll within the household, this may negatively impact or limit opportunities for skills development and financial discussions, and children may be discouraged from wanting to participate and learn.

No matter the time of year, research indicates that having appropriate financial plans in place goes a long way towards decreasing financial and overall stress levels. In fact, studies indicate that Canadians with comprehensive financial plans — which take into account everything from investment choices and tax considerations to insurance to retirement and estate planning — reported greater levels of emotional well-being and overall contentment than those who have engaged in even limited planning.16

This document has been prepared for use by the RBC Wealth Management member companies, RBC Dominion Securities Inc.*, RBC Phillips, Hager & North Investment Counsel Inc., RBC Global Asset Management Inc., Royal Trust Corporation of Canada and The Royal Trust Company (collectively, the “Companies”) and their affiliate, Royal Mutual Funds Inc. (RMFI). *Member – Canada Investor Protection Fund. Each of the Companies, RMFI and Royal Bank of Canada are separate corporate entities which are affiliates. “RBC advisor” refers to Private Bankers who are employees of Royal Bank of Canada and licenced representatives of RMFI, Investment Counsellors who are employees of RBC Phillips, Hager & North Investment Counsel Inc. and the private client division of RBC Global Asset Management Inc., Senior Trust Advisors and Trust Officers who are employees of The Royal Trust Company or Royal Trust Corporation of Canada, or Investment Advisors who are employees of RBC Dominion Securities Inc. In Quebec, financial planning services are provided by RMFI which is licenced as a financial services firm in that province. In the rest of Canada, financial planning services are available through RMFI, Royal Trust Corporation of Canada, The Royal Trust Company, or RBC Dominion Securities Inc. Estate and trust services are provided by Royal Trust Corporation of Canada and The Royal Trust Company. If specific products or services are not offered by one of the Companies, clients may request a referral to another RBC partner. The strategies, advice and technical content in this publication are provided for the general guidance and benefit of our clients, based on information believed to be accurate and complete, but neither the Companies, RMFI, nor Royal Bank of Canada, nor any of its affiliates nor any other person can guarantee accuracy or completeness. This publication is not intended as nor does it constitute tax or legal advice. Readers should consult a qualified legal, tax or other professional advisor when planning to implement a strategy. This will ensure that their individual circumstances have been considered properly and that action is taken on the latest available information. Interest rates, market conditions, tax rules, and other investment factors are subject to change. This information is not investment advice and should only be used in conjunction with a discussion with your RBC advisor. None of the Companies, RMFI, Royal Bank of Canada nor any of its affiliates nor any other person accepts any liability whatsoever for any direct or consequential loss arising from any use of this report or the information contained herein. In certain branch locations, one or more of the Companies may carry on business from premises shared with other Royal Bank of Canada affiliates. Notwithstanding this fact, each of the Companies is a separate business and personal information and confidential information relating to client accounts can only be disclosed to other RBC affiliates if required to service your needs, by law or with your consent. Under the RBC Code of Conduct, RBC Privacy Principles and RBC Conflict of Interest Policy confidential information may not be shared between RBC affiliates without a valid reason.

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